Can you determine what is the most beautiful destination in Italy? A question that clearly cannot have a single answer, given the multitude of wonders that the Bel Paese is rich with. Not always, though, is the most beautiful destination also the most famous: there is indeed an Italy made of small villages, islands, seaside towns, and undervalued cities of art, where beauty is measured not only by the local patrimony, by the jewels to discover, and by the ability to preserve an authentic identity.
To try to identify the Italian destinations considered the most authentically beautiful is a new index created by SIXT’s travel experts, which compared 50 locations across several parameters, from Google searches to light pollution, passing through the concentration of attractions, social engagement, and the growth of online searches.
Here is the top 10 of the most beautiful places, from the most famous to the less crowded.
Procida is the most authentically beautiful destination
With a score of 68.10 points, Procida takes first place among Italian destinations considered the most authentically beautiful by the new study. The small island in the Gulf of Naples surpasses well-known spots on the Italian tourist scene, proving that winning travelers does not necessarily require large cities or destinations already established at an international level.
Several factors contributed to its victory: according to the analysis, Procida counts 5.4 attractions per square kilometer, while the Google searches considered by the study amounted to 146,780. Also interest in the destination is growing: in the last year searches have increased by 25.17%.
But beyond the numbers, simply strolling the island makes it clear why it exerts such a special charm. From the medieval village of Terrra Murata, which dominates the island, one descends toward Marina Corricella, with its colorful houses facing the sea, while along the coast beaches such as Pozzo Vecchio, with its characteristic dark volcanic sand, Chiaia and Chiaiolella appear.
Another element that seems to have favored Procida is its compact size: many of its attractions can be reached on foot, allowing you to discover the island slowly, among alleyways, sea views, and small corners away from the busiest routes.
Also the possibility of experiencing the island without a car contributes to this experience. In the months between April and October vehicle traffic is subject to restrictions, making it even more natural to explore it on foot.
The full ranking
In second place climbs Manarola, in the Cinque Terre, with an index of 61.36, followed by Castelmezzano, in Basilicata, with 60 points. In particular, the Ligurian town famous for its colorful houses perched on the coast achieved a particularly positive result also for the growth of online searches, which rose by 51.41% compared to the previous year. In fourth place is Orta San Giulio, on Lake Orta, with 58.74 points. Rounding out the top five is Sovana, a small village in the Tuscan Maremma that with 53.90 points stands out especially for its historic heritage and for the high level of engagement recorded on social media.
The top 10 continues with destinations that are very different from one another: the art city of Vicenza up to Gallipoli, Ponza, Erice, and Camogli.
Here is the complete ranking:
| Rank | Destination | Light Pollution | Google Searches | Attractions per km² | Social Engagement | Growth Google | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Procida | 5.7 | 146,780 | 5.4 | 17,815 | +25.17% | 68.10 |
| 2 | Manarola | 5.0 | 126,760 | 4.5 | 18,764 | +51.41% | 61.36 |
| 3 | Castelmezzano | 4.9 | 33,350 | 0.3 | 2,220 | -48.79% | 60.00 |
| 4 | Orta San Giulio | 5.5 | 75,680 | 2.7 | 1,717 | +11.43% | 58.74 |
| 5 | Sovana | 4.4 | 1,750 | 0.4 | 35,904 | +16.00% | 53.90 |
| 6 | Vicenza | 5.9 | 272,760 | 1.2 | 105,044 | +17.18% | 53.35 |
| 7 | Gallipoli | 5.9 | 303,500 | 1.2 | 104,475 | +15.74% | 52.84 |
| 8 | Ponza | 4.5 | 180,560 | 2.2 | 12,164 | +31.82% | 52.12 |
| 9 | Erice | 5.7 | 63,790 | 1.9 | 6,794 | +31.98% | 51.47 |
| 10 | Camogli | 5.6 | 167,350 | 2.0 | 9,399 | +23.91% | 51.25 |
